Malvin Artley has been a practising astrologer for more than 10 years. He is an
accredited member of the American Federation of Astrologers.
Malvin is the author of Bodies of Fire: An Exploration of the Lesser Chakra System. He has authored numerous articles and was a member of the faculty of the University of the Seven Rays, a non-profit organization dedicated to the teaching of the Trans-Himalayan tradition as expressed through the books of Alice Bailey, Helena Blavatsky and others.His primary focus over the past 25 years has been on the sciences as they express occultism and with bridging work between the two. His
special interests are the human subtle energy system and all
the chakras, or energy centres, physics and technology, astronomy and all
aspects of Chinese occultism. He has done extensive work with Chinese
astrology and the cycles they use and seeks to synthesize the great
Western and Oriental systems on such matters.Malvin lives in Adelaide, South Australia. He also works in the engineering trades and sends out periodic emails about astrological happenings and developments. Click here to subscribe to Malvin's periodic letters.

Libra New Moon:October New Moon 2006A New Moon in the Month of the Earth [Yellow] Dog

The New Moon in Libra happens in 2006 on October 22, at 05:15 hours GMT. Malvin Artley, our regular esoteric commentator, has always taken a deep interest in Chinese Astrology and you can now obtain his Chinese Astrology Computer Program, published by Esoteric Technologies, the makers of Solar Fire. Malvin gives a beautiful insight into the nature of this lunation, the month of the Earth Dog, woof!

For the one who resides in the Center, there is reluctance to stand in the spotlight. (Daytime1)
orWhen the good is dimmed, people bring to light what they abhor. (Nighttime2)

Life brings us many battles before victory is achieved.

The spring day was warm, and a gentle breeze stirred the rhododendron surrounding the mountain hideaway. The Yellow Dog was pensive that afternoon, safely tucked away in his stronghold. The breeze and the atmosphere transported him to circumspect reflection as he pondered over recent events, events that had caused him to take solace in his secret spot. Life had been a battle of late and he sought to barricade himself from the onslaughts of his trying times. Born the runt of the litter, life had always been difficult for him, but it had taught him toughness and cunning over the years as he learned to fend for himself. Now he was a leader in the pack, but his early years still caused him to shut away the world in times of difficulty. Shunned when he withdrew as a result, his friends could never understand his aloofness and it caused himself periods where he felt quite isolated. He was always very defensive and ready for a fight. Loyal to his friends, though, the Yellow Dog was respected in the pack.

There was a sudden rustle in the leaves and the snap of a twig. Roused from his reverie, the Yellow Dog growled and gave a warning bark. Who had dared to intrude upon his privacy and challenge his mountain fortress!? The fur went up on his back as he readied himself for the coming confrontation. His alert stance soon gave way to relief, though, and the raised fur to a wagging tail as he recognized an old friend and ally appearing through the bushes. Greetings finally dispensed with, he looked at his friend and said "How did you find me here? You know I want to be on my own right now. Why have you come here?" His friend grew irritated with the Yellow Dog's attitude and said "We all know about your hideaway, but we leave you in peace – heaven knows why! You weren't difficult to track. I'm here to bring you back. There is an outsider challenging the order of the pack and you are needed. Put aside your fears and needs and come to our aid, old friend. Your family and friends are threatened and the time is short." His loyalty aroused and his forces marshalled, the Yellow Dog forgot about his troubles and readied himself for the coming fight. "Come, my friend!" he said. "We will make short work of this intruder on our peace. Our pack is strong. Together we will defeat him." With that, the two old friends ran barking down from the mountain retreat and into the growing storm awaiting the nervous pack.

Great things are achieved when many small alliances are gathered together.

The new moon of October 2006 begins the Month of the Mountain Dog. This month will most closely match the dynamics of the year (the Year of the Sleeping Dog) in some ways, but in others it will be a marked contrast. The keynotes of any Dog Pillar are always loyalty, fidelity, friendship and communal values. The similarities between the month and the year end there, however, and this month will bring a dynamic wherein old alliances and partnerships will be tested as to their mettle and where new ones are instituted to bring about solutions to problems that have been vexing us for some time. This month is a continuation on the theme of Libra and it will see the sign out, the new moon degree falling on the final degree of the sign. There is an aspect of Libra being activated with this new moon that is often not addressed – that of open enemies – for Libra rules enmity and open conflict as well as partnerships. A marked stubbornness will manifest itself this month in all associations between people and there will thus be a tendency for people to be unwilling to bend and to harp upon old wounds. Many surprises in relations will manifest as the realities of our relationships come up for appraisal. Folks will aspire to a settled, quiet and domestic life, but there will be more than enough to make life interesting because the more secretive, cautious and tentative side of human nature will rear itself in response and cause people to dig in their heels when things do not go as planned. It will not be a month for 'letting sleeping dogs lie' and there will be ample opportunities for us to address issues that have lain dormant for a while. People will still feel oppressed by the environment, unless they have a lot of Earth or Metal in their Four Pillars.

In all, though, if we are willing to address what comes up in a spirit of conciliation and good relations, then there is every indication that some very refreshing ideas and circumstances can arise from this month. Solutions will soon become obvious if we can be at home within ourselves and not be buffeted about by everyone else's needs and feelings. We will need to exhibit the more positive qualities of the Dog if we are to achieve that sense of renewal, though. A brutal honesty might be required at times to break down the barriers between parties and a willingness to communicate and to see the other person's point of view. Passions will be inflamed at any rate, and there is a warning with this month not to let what seems like a proscribed outcome in any circumstance cloud our judgment as to what is truly a proper resolution. Remember that this month not only closes the sign of Libra, but it also inaugurates the sign of Scorpio, and there is always something lurking under the depths when the Scorpion is in ascendancy. It will be a month of high passion and drama – the stuff of which great scandals are made – and Dogs love nothing better than to commune with friends and family and to spin tales from the day. Rest assured that there will be plenty to talk about as the month progresses. Get out the popcorn and watch the month unfold – unless you are a player in the drama! – in which case, be sure to put on your best dramatic air so we can all have a good story to tell when the play is done. In all seriousness, though, the Month of the Mountain Dog is a time of coming together above all else. Let us just be certain to drop our antagonisms in that time and make a pact to heal the wounds between us. All small steps taken together lead us to a better place if we can find our common ground in the process.

Blessings,
Malvin.
15 Oct 2006

1 Daytime=if the eclipse occurs between sunrise and sunset2 Nighttime=if the eclipse occurs between sunset and sunrise (your time)

Quotes and text are taken from the software The Imperial Astrologer, courtesy of Esoteric Technologies. www.esotech.com.au Graphics and koans courtesy of the same. All text in the program is by this author.

Malvin Artley is an accredited member of the American Federation of Astrologers. His primary focus over the past 25 years has been on the sciences as they express occultism and with bridging work between the two. His special interests in those fields are the human subtle energy system and all the chakras, or energy centres, physics and technology, astronomy and all aspects of Chinese occultism. He sends out periodic emails about astrological happenings and developments. These letters are sent out as a gift and a service. If you wish to be added to or deleted from the mailing list please let me know. If you feel inspired to pass them on please do so, but do so without alteration or charge. They are sent to people of many persuasions, not just astrologers. Blessings. Click here to subscribe to Malvin's periodic letters.